Nearly 50 years ago, a small group of businessmen started collecting $1,000 donations to fund an organization that would help families of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty.
The Bluecoats have been doing their work quietly ever since, but their mission has changed. The group now awards a stipend to the top officer each year in each first-responder service as a way of thanking them for their dedication.
This year, the group did it publicly for the first time at a luncheon, which took place yesterday and included awards for Metro EMS. It's the first time EMS has been included because it is a newly merged service.
It's important "to recognize people who are out there doing their job every day," said Mac McClure, president of the Bluecoats.
For some of those honored, it wasn't their first recognition, but it was a reminder that they are appreciated.
Officer James Cirillo was named officer of the year by Louisville Metro Police in 2005, but getting the award from the Bluecoats is a huge honor, he said.
Cirillo was praised by Police Chief Robert White for his work in the 1st Division, which includes downtown. Cirillo regularly comes to work 45 minutes early to prepare for his overnight shift. He has made dozens of felony and misdemeanor arrests and found 30 stolen cars, White said.
Four EMS workers were honored. Two of them, Col. Everett Scott and Lt. Col. Craig Rodgers, were recognized for their work on the command staff during the transition that merged former city and county EMS workers.
Maj. Missy Shuck and Sgt. Lee Dennison were honored for their work acting as the liaisons with the union and EMS command staff to help smooth the transition.
Shuck said the transition into a merged system has been difficult and still has work to be done, but the awards represent a new respect for EMS workers.
"It's nice to see we're recognized with the other first responders in the area," she said.
Firefighter Salvador Melendez of Louisville Fire & Rescue was honored.
Melendez has done much work over the past year to bridge the gap between the fire department and those who speak foreign languages, often serving as a Spanish interpreter. For instance, he helped a Spanish-speaking family communicate with doctors who were working on their son after he'd been injured in a soccer game.
McClure said he hopes the Bluecoats will expand their reach in the community beyond the yearly awards. Now that many organizations reach out to families of officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty, McClure said the Bluecoats would like to find more ways to enhance opportunities, particularly with more training and education, for first responders.
Each person honored receives a $2,500 stipend that can be used on whatever the recipient wishes.